Interview With Michael Ball

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have just released their new album, Together at Christmas.

The album follows the phenomenal success of the duo’s previous three duet albums, their debut Together, which became the UK’s best-selling album of 2016 and beat the likes of Little Mix and The Rolling Stones to the Christmas No.1 spot, Together Again which brought the pair yet another number one album in 2017, and Back Together which landed them the number two spot in the Official Albums Chart. As a duo, they have now sold over 1.3 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards, sold out two headline arena tours and presented three ITV Specials.

I spoke to Michael about the new album, his singing partner and friend Alfie Boe, Captain Tom and discovered he has a soft spot for Bradford and Blackpool.

Tell us a little bit about the new Christmas album you have released with Alfie Boe.

"We both wanted to do something that would spread a little joy, love and happiness and in a way it kept us sane too, we were frustrated, we both wanted to be working and want to be performing and this is the way we could try and make that happen."

How did Gregory Porter appear on the album?

"He came on our Christmas special last year and we got on so brilliantly with him, such a lovely man and such an amazing singer, we wanted him to do a song on the album so we said 'let’s get him to do it', so we contacted him in LA and he immediately said, 'absolutely I’m there', so he then recorded his bit over there and what came back was just beautiful."

Your tour with Alfie Boe comes to Yorkshire next year, do you like coming back?

"We absolutely love it even though you-know-who is from the other side of the border! He’s from Fleetwood, I think of it as me rehabilitating him when I bring him to Yorkshire."

A few years ago I saw you at The Alhambra in Bradford with The Krankies on the same bill to celebrate the Alhambra’s centenary, what was that like?

"You have no idea what happened backstage that night! It was brilliant. Anyway I’m there to do the second half of the show, I love The Krankies, so I’m there in the wings watching their act and Janette runs off in her outfit of Jimmy Krankie and she is getting changed into her outfit to do like a Moira Anderson feature and she strips down to her bra and pants, right there in front of me and goes 'I know what you’re thinking, it all needs a good iron!'

"That’s why I love this business, you never know what is going to happen at any one time. It was a joy to perform at The Alhambra as it is one of the most beautiful theatres in the country."

Have you heard about the plans to turn the old Bradford Odeon into a new 4,000 seat venue?

"No, I haven’t but from what you tell me it will be fantastic - it will be great for Bradford as it will be a bigger venue. Alfie and I will be able to come and play Bradford properly when the venue opens. That’s lovely and very good news."

When you tour with Alfie does he have any bad habits?

"He eats constantly! I’m the one who puts on the weight, he eats a lot and doesn’t put any weight on - it’s not fair. He’s obsessed with gravy, everything has got to have gravy on it. Everywhere he goes he has his Bisto with him, but you know what, we get on brilliantly, we know each other so well, we know when each of us needs a little bit of space or needs a hug or a laugh. We are very respectful of each other and it’s lovely to share experiences with someone, because it can be quite lonely when you are in a crowd of thousands but you are the one on your own doing the singing. No one quite knows what you are feeling, but if there is two of you, you can share that and that makes it better."

How has the Lockdown been for you?

"It’s been an extraordinary year, I was just starting rehearsals for Hairspray when we had to knock it all on the head. Alfie and I had just finished the arena tour. We stopped the Hairspray rehearsals then I got sick and Kathy (McGowan) got sick with the virus and I was out of work and was really poorly, not hospitalised but not great, and Kathy was far worse.
Then I went back to work on the radio show and I heard the day before about this fellow who was trying to raise money for charity and he had raised about £70,000 and so I invited him on to the show and that man was Captain Tom.

"It all happened from then, my association with Captain Tom and the single happened and I was still able to do my Radio 2 show and The One Show on BBC 1. I was writing music too, so I was able to keep myself busy and focused. It was an experience that I would never had imagined, so I’ve rolled with it, like everyone else. I’ve tried to adapt and be positive and make people around me positive, I’ve tried to contribute and to engage and to help where I can, I’ve just tried to find my way through it, like everybody - no one has all the answers. I’ve tried really to manage it the best I can."

Did you know that Captain Tom was born in Keighley?

"I know! We are actually doing the Royal Variety Show together in Blackpool at the end of November. The show must go on, so we are going to do it - If anyone should top the bill it should be Captain Tom. It’s an amazing venue too is the Opera House in Blackpool. I always have a good time in Blackpool, I’m really an honorary northerner."

When you are on tour do you have any special requests?

"All I need is somewhere to have a lie down, some tea and honey for my voice and a smelly candle because some dressing rooms stink, so I need something to take away the smell. So really I’m quite low maintenance, oh and puppies, a new toilet seat, butterflies, flowers," (he laughs).

What do you want for Christmas?

"A number one album, it’s possible, we’ve done it before. When I did the single with Captain Tom we never thought we would have a number one single. The record business has changed so much, you never know what’s around the corner in this business".

When do you think we will be able to see live shows again, possibly April?

"I really hope so. Of course it all depends on how it goes with the vaccines, places getting insured and what government guidelines there are, you can’t break the law. I’m meant to be doing Hairspray at the end of April, if it doesn’t open by the summer this business is going to be in serious, if not terminal trouble. We are going to lose so many artists, so many musicians, performers, technicians who will have to make a living somewhere else and we will not be able to get them back.

"The cost of theatres being closed is costing hundreds of thousands of pounds a week with no money coming in."

On the album there is a track called 'My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours', what is that all about?

"Yes it’s an original, I wrote it. I thought that between myself and Alfie there is so much banter and one-upmanship and competitiveness, I thought let’s make this into a funny song. I played it to Alfie and he said 'go on, let’s give it a go'. I’m really chuffed with the way it’s come out. Nice song.

Did you have to twist his arm to record the song?

"Well I did have to hold him down and punch him and he was happy. No, joking aside I am really looking forward to coming back up north again."